PhD position - Reducing reproductive effects of endocrine disruptor chemicals by modulating gut microbial biotransformation pathways

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INRAE presentation

The French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE) is a major player in research and innovation. It is a community of 12,000 people with 272 research, experimental research, and support units located in 18 regional centres throughout France. Internationally, INRAE is among the top research organisations in the agricultural and food sciences, plant and animal sciences, as well as in ecology and environmental science. It is the world’s leading research organisation specialising in agriculture, food and the environment. INRAE’s goal is to be a key player in the transitions necessary to address major global challenges. Faced with a growing world population, climate change, resource scarcity, and declining biodiversity, the Institute has a major role to play in building solutions and supporting the necessary acceleration of agricultural, food and environmental transitions.

Work environment, missions and activities

The position is located at the MICALIS Institute, INRAE (Institut national de recherche pour l’agriculture, l’alimentation et l’environnement) in Jouy-en-Josas, France, and is part of AgroParisTech and Université Paris-Saclay. The candidate will join the research team ‘PhylHom: Physiology and phylogeny of the Human Microbiome’ focusing on therapies, contaminants and the microbiome as part of an ANR-funded project. 

Description of the Project: Emerging contaminants, particularly the endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), are pervasive mixtures found in food, water, and everyday products that increase disease burden in humans. The human gut microbiome has a broad enzymatic repertoire for metabolizing contaminants and can be modulated by nutrients, making it a promising target for reducing the effects of EDCs in the host. However, the intricate interactions between gut microbiome, nutrition, and contaminant detoxification remain largely unknown. This PhD project aims to uncover microbial detoxification mechanisms that can be modulated by nutrients and ultimately reduce the adverse effects of EDCs on reproductive tissues. 

Keywords: Microbiome, emerging contaminants, one health, anaerobic biochemistry, cell biology, exposome

You responsibilities include: 

-Carry out autonomous research activities under supervision to evaluate the microbial detoxification mechanisms of contaminants under nutritional exposure scenarios, identify genes and enzymes involved in EDC metabolism and validate the outcomes of these interactions on host cellular models. 

-Integrate multi-omics data, write high-impact research articles, disseminate knowledge in scientific conferences and meetings.

-Participate in lab duties.

Special conditions of activity: Please note that the MICALIS Institute is a facility subject to security restrictions (ZRR). Candidates must be approved by the SGDSN (General Secretariat for Defense and National Security).

Training and skills

Recommended training: The candidate must have a Master 2 university degree (or equivalent) with a specialization in microbiology, eukaryotic cellular physiology, pharmacology, biochemistry, or any relevant field.

Desired knowledge: Previous knowledge or hands-on experience in either microbial ecology approaches, cell culture techniques, multi-omic data analysis, computational and statistical techniques are preferred. 

Appreciated experience: In anaerobic microbial cultivation, analytical methodologies to detect contaminants, complex microbial communities or host cellular models.

Skills: Organization skills, ability to work independently but also in teams is necessary, the candidate must be able to manage their project (bibliographical research, protocol development, data acquisition, etc.). Scientific rigor and curiosity are essential assets. A good level of spoken and written English is required. 

INRAE's life quality

By joining our teams, you benefit from (depending on the type of contract and its duration):

- up to 30 days of annual leave + 15 days "Reduction of Working Time" (for a full time);
- parenting support: CESU childcare, leisure services;
- skills development systems: training, career advise;
- social support: advice and listening, social assistance and loans;
- holiday and leisure services: holiday vouchers, accommodation at preferential rates;
- sports and cultural activities;
- collective catering.

How to apply

I send my CV and my motivation letter